Full Order Text
Final Order 2 · 02 Aug 2023 · CNR MHCC010116522019
Order Details: Copy of Judgment Pdf Text: MHCC010116522019 Received on :: 15.11.2019 Registered on :: 16.11.2019 Decided on :: 02.08.2023 Duration :: Y-03:M-08:D-17: Exhibit :: IN THE COURT OF CITY CIVIL FOR GREATER BOMBAY AT BOMBAY MISC. APPEAL NO.168 OF 2019 M/s. Hickson & Dadajee Pvt.Ltd., Shree Pant Bhavan, Sandhurst Bridge, Mumbai – 400 007. ... Appellant Versus 1. Estate Officer, The New India Assurance Co.Ltd., The New India Assurance Building, 4th Floor, M.g.Road, Fort, Mumbai – 400 001. 2. The New India Assurance Co. Ltd., having its registered and Head office at New India Assurance Building, 87, M.G.Road, Fort, Mumbai – 400 001. ... Respondents CORAM : H.H.THE PRINCIPAL JUDGE SHRI. A.SUBRAMANIAM(C.R.No.19) DATED : 2nd AUGUST, 2023 Ld.Adv. Zubin Dalal a/w Adv.Radhika V. Warekar for appellant. Ld.Adv. V.Y.Sangalikar a/w Vaishali Ugale for respondents. ORAL JUDGMENT 1. By the present appeal, the the order of the learned Estate Officer in Case No.0014 & 0014A of 2013 dated 07.11.2019 is impugned. -- 1 of 16 -- :Page 2 of 16: JUDGMENT IN MISC.APPEAL.168/2019 2. It is the case of the Assurance company that the appellants are their tenants and they are not occupying the premises. It is further contended that the original lessee and the present lessee are different. It is further contended that the Company requires the premises to house their staff and their staff is being accommodated elsewhere. 3. To counter the appellant contend that they are protected tenants. Their company was in liquidation and has now come out of it. The Insurance company has failed to establish their Bonafide requirement. The Company require the premises and is used by their directors. 4. The learned Estate Officer by the impugned Order was pleased to direct the eviction and compensation . Hence present appeal. 5. Heard learned Counsel for the appellant as well as respondents.Perused the record and proceedings, Considered the submissions advanced, the impugned order, the appeal memo and considered the written submissions, following points arise for my consideration and I answer the same as under for the reasons stated hereinafter; Sr. Nos POINTS FINDINGS 1 Whether the judgment of Suhas Pophale V/s. Oriental Insurance Company Ltd. and its Estate Officer, (2014)4 SCC 657 is binding on this Court? :: In the affirmative 2. Whether the judgment of Suhas Pophale is applicable to the present case? :: In the affirmative 3. Whether the appellant can be said to be unauthorized occupant? :: In the negative -- 2 of 16 -- :Page 3 of 16: JUDGMENT IN MISC.APPEAL.168/2019 4 Whether the impugned order requires interference? :: In the affirmative 5 What order? :: As per final order As to point No 1: 6. The point i.e. raised before this Court is whether the judgment of Suhas Pophale V/s. Oriental Insurance Company Ltd. and its Estate Officer, (2014)4 SCC 657 is applicable, (a) as a binding precedent & (b) to the facts of the case . 7. The related issue to this is that the judgment of Suhas Pophale has been referred to the larger bench of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in the case of Life Insurance Corporation of India V/s. VITA Private Limited & Anr. Petition for Special Leave to Appeal(C) No.35859/2014. Thus the issue raised is as to whether the judgment of Suhas Pophale can be considered as a binding precedent or not. 8. Large number of judgments have been flied for consideration of the said issues. 9. In order to first appreciate these issue, one will have to consider the judgment of Suhas Pophale. The contention is that the judgment of Suhas Pophale is counter to the judgment of constitutional and larger bench Judgment passed in Ashoka Marketing Ltd. and Anr. V/s. Punjab National Bank and Ors., AIR 1991 SC 855 and M/s. Jain Ink Manufacturing Company V/s. Life Insurance Corporation of India and Another, (1980)4 Supreme Court Cases 435. 10. At the outset, it is necessary to point out that the judgment of Suhas Pophale itself deals with these two judgments and it holds that the judgment of Suhas Pophale is not counter to the -- 3 of 16 -- :Page 4 of 16: JUDGMENT IN MISC.APPEAL.168/2019 judgment of Ashoka Marketing and M/s. Jain Ink and Other judgments and distinguishes the principles of law as applicable and laid down therein . 11. In the case of Dr. Preeti Bhatt V/s. Central Bank of India, Writ Petition No.290 of 2012 the Division Bench of the Hon’ble High Court of Bombay, Dissenting from the judgment of the single bench of the Hon’ble Bombay High Court to held that the judgment of Suhas Pophale is binding on the Court as a valid precedent. 12. It was contended that the judgment of Dr.Preeti Bhatt is passed pre-VITA order of reference. At the outset the aspect to be considered is whether an order of reference can be said to be a final finding and I specifically pointed out this to the counsel for the respondent that reference order is not a final judgment and he agreed with it . Thus, the factum as to whether the judgment of Suhas Pophale and judgment of Ashoka and M/s.Jain Ink are in different fields or areas and what is binding is yet to be decided by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. Pending that what would be the binding position is an issue which has to be considered. 13. It was tried to be pointed out by the judgment in the case of Ku.Sheetal Shivkant Chavan V/s. State of Maharashtra, (2018)6 Mh. L.J 546 (Hon'ble Bombay High Court) that larger bench is binding and it is further held that the view of the earlier bench would be proper and binding, as the latter bench even of equal strength cannot over rule the judgment of equal strength. In the Judgment of New India Assurance Co. Ltd. V/s. Hilli Multipurpose Cold Storage Pvt. Ltd. reported in AIR 2016 Supreme Court 86 also relates to law laid down by larger bench -- 4 of 16 -- :Page 5 of 16: JUDGMENT IN MISC.APPEAL.168/2019 or equal strength. The judgment of Maroti Parbhatrao & Ors. V/s.Muktabai Marotrao & Ors. 2020 Mh.L.J. 199 also deals with binding nature of larger bench and coordinate bench. The judgment of Kamleshkumar Ishwardas Patel V/s. Union of India & Ors. 1995(2) Bom. C.R. 640 points out that it must follow up that one which according to it is better in point of law. Considering the fact that the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in Suhas Pophale itself has held that is not counter to the larger bench judgment, same are not applicable to the facts of this case. 14. In the case of Anil Devraj Sarad V/s. The New India Assurance Co.Ltd., Writ Petition (L) NO.10264 of 2022, the aspect of tenancy arose in 1997 and hence same is not applicable. In the case of Bagalkot Udyog Limited & Anr V/s. AIR India Limited & Ors., AIR 2009(NOC) 2437(BOM.) the aspect of Sick Industrial Companies Act and Public Premises Act was considered and same would not be applicable to the facts of the case. In the case of Smt.Leelabai Gajanan Pansare & 3 Ors. V/s. The Oriental Insurance Co.Ltd. & Ors. Reported in First Appeal No.1245 of 2004 decided on 20th December, 2006 (Hon’ble Bombay High Court) same is said to be set aside by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. In the case of Smt.Leelabai Gajanan Pansare & Ors. V/s. The Oriental Insurance Co.Ltd. & Ors., AIR 2009 Supreme Court 523 is the judgment which is considered in the judgment in First Appeal No.1245 of 2004 of Hon’ble Bombay High Court. The judgment of Smt.Leelabai Gajanana, 2009 Supreme Court 523 points out that the said special companies are not covered under the protection of Maharashtra Rent Control Act and hence Public Premises Act is applicable. In the judgment of Minoo Framroze Balsara V/s. The Union of India and Others, AIR 1992 Bombay -- 5 of 16 -- :Page 6 of 16: JUDGMENT IN MISC.APPEAL.168/2019 375 is considered in the earlier judgment of Smt.Leelabai Gajanana reported in 2009 Supreme Court 523. At the outset that judgment is also considered in Suhas Pophale and Suhas Pophale being of the Hon’ble Supreme Court that binds this Court. In the judgment of Kaiser-I-Hind Pvt.Ltd. And another V/s. National Textile Corpn. (Maharashtra North) Ltd. and Others., (2002)8 Supreme Court Cases 182 is out of the earlier judgment in Minoo Framroze Balsara. Again, same is considered by Suhas Pophale and hence cannot be said to be applicable. 15. The case of Priti Bhat will have to be considered as binding precedent on this Court considering the aspect of diversions and binding effect of Suhas Pophale. In the judgment of B.C.Shah V/s. The Union of India, LAWS(CAL)-2014-2014-9-27 of the Hon’ble High Court of Calcutta , application of the Tenancy Act to the said premises was considered and it being not applicable Suhas Pophale was not made applicable. Thus it is distinguishable to facts of the present case . 16. The judgment of Gyan Mahendra Swarup V/s. Life Insurance Corporation of India, LAWS(CL)-2018-8-153 in fact goes against the respondents. It is Post VITA judgment and the Hon’ble High Court of Calcutta specifically said that….. (28.) The subsequent reference of Suhas H.Pophale to a larger Bench, by another two-Judge Bench of the Supreme Court, does not lessen the binding effect of Suhas H.Pophale, more so since the order by which such reference was made, does not discuss on merits the proposition in question or lay down any proposition upon a detailed consideration of the same but merely refers Suhas H.Pophale to a larger bench. In such view of the matter, the first question falling for consideration herein, has to be held in affirmative. Suhas H.Pophale still holds the field and -- 6 of 16 -- :Page 7 of 16: JUDGMENT IN MISC.APPEAL.168/2019 has binding effect on this Court, being self-evidently in consonance with Ashoka Marketing as well as M/s. Jain Ink and Only clarifying and explaining the gaps left by the said previous judgments.” 17. In the judgment of Life Insurance Corporation of India V/s. Diljit Singh Bindra, LAWS(UTN)-2019-7-111 again the aspect of Transfer of Property act is considered. Thus, same is not applicable to the facts of the present case as applicability of Suhas Pophale. In the judgment of Sunil Kumar & Anr. V/s. Delhi Development Authority through Vice Chairman in LPA 479/2013 & CM Nos.10527/2013, 10528/2013, 20751/2013 Along with Other LPAs dated 31st January 2018 (Hon’ble Delhi High Court) deals with the aspect of property of the Central Government which is not covered under the Rent Act and hence the same is not applicable. The judgment of Shri Ram Bir & Ors. V/s. Delhi Development, PPA No.08/2017 dated 25th April 2018 (Delhi District Court) clearly shows that the occupier was not protected under the Rent Act and hence Suhas Pophale’s judgment is not applicable. In the judgment of Chong Hsin Wong V/s. Life Insurance Corporation of India & Ors. W.P.No.1134 of 2015 dated 22nd December, 2015 (Hon’ble Calcutta High Court) also clearly points out that the judgment of Suhas Pohale would apply to Maharashtra and thus the judgment of Suhas Pophale is clearly applicable even by this judgment. In the judgment of Sharada Dayadhish Shetty V/s. The Director, CSIR – NCL and anr. Writ Petition NO.4497 of 2021 (Hon’ble Bombay High Court) relates to property of the Central government for which the provisions of Rent Act are not applicable and considering the same the applicability of Suhas Pophale’s case does not apply. In the judgment of Kavita Pant and Ors. V/s. Union of India and Ors. -- 7 of 16 -- :Page 8 of 16: JUDGMENT IN MISC.APPEAL.168/2019 LAWS(HPH)-2015-7-20 decided on 6th July 2015 has no concern with tenancy but only related to long possession and hence not applicable the aspect of consideration of Suhas Pophale. 18. In the judgment of Chong Hsin Wong V/s. Life Insurance Corporation of India, Aironline 2015 Cal 4 (Hon’ble Calcutta High Court) the aspect of jurisdictional issue was kept open to be decided by the Competent Authority or learned Estate Officer. The judgment of Gyan Mahendra Swarup V/s. Life Insurance Corporation of India, LAWS(Cal)-2018-8-153 (Hon’ble Calcutta High Court) points out that the Rent Act is not applicable to the said premises. In the case of Singer India Limited V/s. Life Insurance Corpn. Of India, LAWS(ALL)-2015-7-38 (Hon’ble Allahabad High Court), the aspect of consideration was that the premises belongs to the central government. In the case of Alstom T &D India Ltd. V/s. United India Insurance Co.ltd. & Anr., Writ Petition(L) No.2532 of 2015 decided on 9th September 2015 (Hon’ble Bombay High Court), the aspect of jurisdiction is left open and thus, not conclusive. In the case of Indo German Chamber of Commerce V/s. United India Insurance Co.Ltd. & Anr., Writ Petition No.438 of 2019 decided on 20th June 2019 (Hon’ble Bombay High Court), again that issue has been left open to be decided by the concerned authority. In the case of American Bureau of Shopping V/s. The New India Assurance Co.Ltd. & Anr., Writ Petition(L) No.1210 of 2019 decided on 4th June 2019 (Hon’ble Bombay High Court), again the question is kept open. Same is the case in the Judgments of Shapoorji Pallonji and Co. Pvt.Ltd. V/s. The New India Assurance Co.Ltd., Writ Petition(L) No.1811 of 2018 decided on 18th September -- 8 of 16 -- :Page 9 of 16: JUDGMENT IN MISC.APPEAL.168/2019 2018 (Hon’ble Bombay High Court), Shapoorji Pallonji and Co. Pvt.Ltd. V/s. The New India Assurance Co.Ltd., SLP No.30924 of 2018 decided on 10th December 2018 (Hon’ble Supreme Court of India) and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. V/s. The New India Assurance Co.Ltd., Writ Petition No.6744 of 2015 decided on 14th September 2015 (Hon’ble Bombay High Court). 19. In the case of Central Bank of India V/s. National Rayon Corporation Limited (2014)13 Supreme Court Cases 291, the Maharashtra Rent Control Act was not applicable and the hence held that the protection under the Rent Act is not applicable. 20. The judgment of Chong Hsin Wong V/s. Life Insurance Corporation of India & ors. In WP NO.114 of 2015 dated 22nd December 2015 also deals with railway property, the aspect of subsequent litigation when the proceedings under the Public Premises Act have attained the finality. As is apparent from the paragraph-15 of the said judgment and hence not applicable to the facts of this case. The judgment of Chong Hsin Wong V/s. Life Insurance Corporation of India, Aironline 2015 Cal 4 (Hon’ble Calcutta High Court) has kept the issue open and considering the same not applicable to the facts of the case. The Judgments of Alstom T & D India Ltd. V/s. United India Insurance Co.ltd. & Anr., Writ Petition(L) No.2532 of 2015 decided on 9th September 2015 (Hon’ble Bombay High Court), Indo German Chamber of Commerce V/s. United India Insurance Co.Ltd. & Anr., Writ Petition No.438 of 2019 decided on 20th June 2019 (Hon’ble Bombay High Court), American Bureau of Shipping V/s. The New India Assurance Co.Ltd. & Anr., Writ Petition(L) No.1210 of 2019 decided on 4th June 2019 (Hon’ble Bombay High Court) and Anil -- 9 of 16 -- :Page 10 of 16: JUDGMENT IN MISC.APPEAL.168/2019 Devraj Sarad V/s. The New India Assurance Co.Ltd. In Writ Petition(L) No.10264 of 2022 decided on 10th June 2022 (Bombay High Court) are not applicable to the facts of the said case. 21. The judgment of Mrs.Rani Sevakram & Ors. V/s. The Oriental Insurance Co.Ltd. & Ors. In Writ Petition NO.2442 of 1994 is considered in the judgment of Priti Bhat and considered to be over ruled by the said judgment and hence not applicable to the facts of the present case. 22. In view of the Hon’ble High Court of Bombay in Priti Bhatt holding that the Suhas Pophale’s judgment is binding judgment, and settled law that mere reference to larger bench does not loose the effect of precedent as held in the case of Devkumar Gopal Das Aggarwal & Others V/s Board of Trustees of the Port of Mumbai and Others reported in 2020(6) Mh.LJ. 378 23. The case of Ashoka Marketing Ltd. & Anr. V/s. Punjab National Bank & Ors. AIR 1991 SC 855 is said to be not counter to Suhas Pophale by the Supreme Court itself. The judgment of M/s.Jain Ink Manufacturing Co. V/s. Life Insurance Corporation Of India & Anr. 1980(4) SCC 435 has been considered in the judgment of Dr.Suhas H.Pophale V/s. Oriental Insurance Co.Ltd. 2014 Bom. R.C.23. The judgment of Life Insurance Corporation of India V/s. VITA Pvt.Ltd. & Anr. In SLP NO.35859 of 2014 dated 17.03.2015 is the reference order which does not state that the judgment of Suhas Pophale should not be a valid precedent or otherwise neither states the same. 24. The judgment of Sudha Hari Pophale & Ors. V/s. The Oriental Insurance Co.Ltd. In Review Petition NO.149 of 2014 dated 15.01.2015 points out the judicial discipline that this Court has -- 10 of 16 -- :Page 11 of 16: JUDGMENT IN MISC.APPEAL.168/2019 directly follow the judgment of the higher Courts namely High Court and superior Court i.e. Supreme Court of India. It is specifically held that to express any opinion in conflict with or in departure from the view taken by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of Indian would be subversive of judicial discipline and an affront to the order of the Apex Court. 25. In the case of Sudha Hari Pophale & Ors. V/s. The Oriental Insurance Co.Ltd. In SLP No.4142 of 2015 dated 11.02.2015, the matter and order passed in case Sudha Hari Pophale & Ors. in Review Petition No.149 of 2014 dated 15.01.2015 is pending before the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India and considering the same, the aspect of Suhas Pophale is still pending before the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. 26. Thus, considering all these facts and circumstances, one has to consider that the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in case of Suhas Pophale has held that its judgment is not counter to judgment of Ashoka Marketing and Jain Ink and other such judgment held the Public Premises Act supersedes Rent Act. It has merely pointed out that when a person is protected under the Rent Act, such protection cannot be taken away by incorporating the Public Premises Act. Thus, in such circumstances, in my view the said judgment clearly points out the distinction. The Hon’ble High Court of Bombay in the case of Priti Bhatt has also considered this aspect. The Hon’ble Supreme Court of India and other Hon’ble High Courts and the Hon’ble High Court of Bombay has specifically held that mere reference the larger bench or mere pendency of proceedings before the superior Courts does not reduce the effect precedent unless the said order is set aside. Till that period, the said order as precedent binds the other Courts. -- 11 of 16 -- :Page 12 of 16: JUDGMENT IN MISC.APPEAL.168/2019 Considering these circumstances, it is apparent that the judgment of Suhas Pophale still is applicable and holds the field and binding on this court. Hence I answer point no1 in affirmative. As to point no 2: 27. Thus, considering these circumstances, one has to consider whether the judgment of Suhas Pophale is applicable to the facts of the present case. 28. It is not in dispute that the present appellant is in occupation even prior to the predecessor of the respondent company purchased the property. It is also an admitted fact that the respondent insurance company was nationalized much subsequent thereto. In view of this admitted facts on the face of it, judgment of Suhas Pophale is squarely applicable. 29. It was tried to be suggested that there is change of Directors and hence the company that was let out is not the company i.e. existing today. On the face of it, it is seen that the change of Directors is not abnormal or malafide and is said to be affected by appropriate due process of law. In such circumstances, it is clear that the company was in existence and mere change of directors cannot be said to be malafide change to constitute of subletting out corporation of the appellant. In view of the same, the present appellant would be protected under the provisions of the Rent Act. 30. It was also contended that the present company has not shown that its share capital is less than statutory limit. At the outset, it is for the respondent insurance company to point out as to how the appellant would be out side the said purview. Needless to say, time again and again the appellants have raised their defence of being protected under the Rent Act and also have pleaded so. In -- 12 of 16 -- :Page 13 of 16: JUDGMENT IN MISC.APPEAL.168/2019 the letter dated 12.03.2001 at Exh.7 there is specific contention of their “being less than One Crore and outside the purview of the exemption under the Rent Act”. 31. In such circumstances, it is clear that the appellant is protected under the Rent Act and that protection continues in view of the judgment of Suhas Pophale and hence the present eviction proceedings does not survive. Hence, I answer the point no.2 in affirmative. As to Point no.3: 32. It is pointed out that the judgment of Suhas Pophale is placed before the larger bench and to avoid delay and be subject to decision of maintainability, I consider it appropriate and proper., to consider the aspect of bonafide requirement as placed so that the entire issue can be decided. 33. It is part of record, that number of notices were served for eviction and termination. Apparently, the last notice has to be considered on 18.02.2002. If one considers that notice, it is clear that the insurance company has claimed that they require the premises for accommodation of their staff and they are out of protection and hence had to hand over the number of premises to the landlords. Thus, the only ground of termination is of requirement. 34. The evidence of the witness of the insurance company is available on record and he has specifically stated that the premises are required for residence of the various officers. He has filed list on record of the officers who are require accommodation. Much was harped upon the list being old and the list not being supported by other documents. -- 13 of 16 -- :Page 14 of 16: JUDGMENT IN MISC.APPEAL.168/2019 35. If one considers the requirement of the insurance company, accommodation being required for their staff, it is not the case that ex or the particular officer is to be accommodated. It is not disputed that the insurance company has its offices at Mumbai and various staffs are employed. The record also indicates that staff of the insurance company is staying in various other places and also in shared accommodation. It is also seen from the record that the staff of insurance company is staying in loaned premises of other insurance company of companies. Thus, the said aspects are not shattered in the cross-examination. Merely because express individual details of each employee, is not provided does not imply that the staff accommodation gets falsified. In fact, by providing the details of the staff record and other names of officers and all other details, there is sufficient material on record. These aspects are a mere challenge or blush effect of on ground insufficiency evidence of record. I do not consider that there is insufficient record and requirement of each officer need to be proved. Suffice to say that the requirement is apparent on face on record to accommodate one’s officers. In such circumstances, it is apparent that the insurance company has established their bonafide requirement. 36. It is also part of record that the premises are for the residence of the Directors of the appellant company. The record indicates that the all the directors have their residential residences elsewhere and thus the premises are not seen to be used. Inspite of specific contention raised and pointed out no record or document have been filed to show use of the premises. Thus, the premises are merely being withheld by the appellant company. Thus, -- 14 of 16 -- :Page 15 of 16: JUDGMENT IN MISC.APPEAL.168/2019 considering the overall circumstances, there is no breach of guidelines and no malafides in termination or determination of the tenancy of the appellant company by the respondent insurance company and in view of finding of point no 1& 2 hence I answer the point no.2 does not survive in favour of the respondent insurance company. As to Point no.4: 37. On the grounds raised, the learned Estate Officer has not considered the protection under the Rent Control Act of the appellant company in correct perspective and hence same requires interference and hence I pass the following order. O R D E R 1. Misc. Appeal No.168 of 2019 is allowed. 2. Order passed by the learned Estate Officer in Case No.0014 & 0014A of 2013 dated 07.11.2019 is hereby set aside. 3. Record and Proceedings be sent back to the defendants. 4. Misc. Appeal No.168 of 2019 is disposed off accordingly. 02/08/2023 (A. SUBRAMANIAM) PRINCIPAL JUDGE, CITY CIVIL COURT, MUMBAI. (JO CODE MH01711) Dictated on Transcribed on Signed by HHJ on : : : 02/08/2023 03/08/2023 26/09/2023 p. -- 15 of 16 -- :Page 16 of 16: JUDGMENT IN MISC.APPEAL.168/2019 “CERTIFIED TO BE TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF THE ORIGINAL SIGNED JUDGEMENT/ORDER” UPLOAD DATE TIME NAME OF STENOGRAPHER 27/09/2023 11.15 a.m. B.R.HATEKAR (S.G.) Name of the Judge HH THE PRINCIPAL JUDGE SHRI A.SUBRAMANIAM (CR No.19) Date of Pronouncement of Judgment/Order. 02.08.2023 Judgment/order signed by P.O on 26.09.2023 Judgment/order uploaded on 27.09.2023 -- 16 of 16 --
